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Boat Trips |
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 Some of the most interesting birding in summer is done from a boat or requires a boat for travel to your destination. Tour boats and water taxi services are available at all times of the day. Some have regular schedules to specific locations and others arrange schedules daily according to the tides and needs of clients. Some operators are very knowledgeable birders but do not assume they all are. Be specific about your expectations. Waters are usually calmest in the morning. Day breezes typically kick up waves around noon until 7 or 8 pm. Varies substantially. Temperatures out on the water are usually much colder than on land, especially with wind. Bring layers of clothes, hats, and gloves, even in summer. |
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 Gull Island - Only a few miles from the end of the Spit, this is an easily accessible seabird colony. Non-stop activity, sounds, and smells are an absolute delight for birders and non-birders alike. Over 15,000 birds and at least nine species nest here, including Red-faced Cormorant, Tufted and Horned Puffin, Common Murre, and Pigeon Guillemot. |
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 Glacier Spit - The lagoon and waters around Grewingk Creek offer an excellent place for many water birds, including Kittlitz's Murrelet. Lots of Spruce Grouse and Goshawks in woods. |
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 Kachemak Bay State Park - There are many trails on the south side of Kachemak Bay that traverse the temperate rainforest up to alpine tundra. These are good for a variety of land birds as well as some nesting seabirds. Best to visit State Parks website for planning purposes. |
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 Seldovia - Birding is good on the way to Seldovia, especially for sea birds. You are more likely to see several species of auklets and tubenoses out here than closer to Homer. Seldovia is a nice town to walk around, including a section of boardwalk in the old harbor area, and you are more likely to see Great-blue Heron, Chestnut-backed Chickadee, and both crossbills here. Maps and information are available at the Seldovia Chamber of Commerce across from the Harbormaster's office. |
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 State Ferry Tustemena - The ferry is designed to get people from place to place and not as a tour boat but it can be an excellent birding adventure. You can take the ferry from Homer to Seldovia, Kodiak, several small towns on the Alaska Peninsula, and all the way out to Dutch Harbor. Various accommodations are available. Check with the ferry office at the end of the Spit (800-642-0066) or their website for schedules and prices. The Alaska National Maritime Wildlife Refuge employs a naturalist to accompany the ferry to Dutch Harbor and back and also to Seldovia on Sundays and Mondays. Call the visitor center for info, 235-6961. |
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This site sponsored by the Kachemak Bay Shorebird Festival Steering Committee. Web site design by Rich Kleinleder: leder@xyz.net and Karl Stoltzfus: bay@xyz.net. Contact them for suggestions or improvements to the site. Photographs provided by US Fish & Wildlife Service, Rich Kleinleder & Karl Stoltzfus copyright 2001 by USFWS |
